There’s nothing better than a crisp October day spent exploring pumpkin patches, sipping on lattes, and snapping travel photos. This cozy fall outfit captures all the autumn charm you need — stylish, comfortable, and camera-ready. Whether you’re headed to a weekend getaway or a local harvest festival, here’s how to shop the look and recreate this perfect fall aesthetic for 2025.

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Shop the Look & Style Tips

This cozy fall travel look blends casual comfort with autumn charm — ideal for road trips, local markets, and photo-filled weekends. Stick with a neutral color palette (warm browns, creams, and rust tones) and add subtle gold accessories to keep it timeless yet trendy.

Ready to shop the look? Click through each featured item to recreate this fall-ready outfit and make your October adventures stylishly unforgettable!

Disclosure: This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by our team.

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Top Travel Accessories for Your Beach Personality

Did you know there are more than 6,000 coastal and Great Lakes beaches in the United States alone? These treasured parts of our national topography are so valuable that more than 180 million Americans visit these beaches annually! Clearly, going to the beach is a favorite American pastime!

RELATED: Looking for airfare to your dream beach destination? Shop tickets here!

More than likely, YOU are one of those millions of girls that LOVE spending time at the beach—especially during the height of the summer travel season. Because each girl has her own beach personality, selecting the right travel essentials is as much of a fashion statement as it is a need for practicality. But with so many options on the market, how’s a girl to know which beach accessory is right for her?

RELATED: Shop authentic vintage designer bags

Before shopping for all the lotions, sunglasses, and water gear, let’s start your shopping list with the most essential item—a big, beautiful beach bag. This is the key travel accessory you’ll be loading up with day after day during your vacation and lugging around with you from beach to beach for the next few summers. Pick the wrong style of bag, and you’ll be regretting your choice for many beach trips to come.

RELATED: Discover more beach essentials with the Escape to Paradise Collection

For those of you who like a little attitude to go with your style, we’ve selected a few fun bags that will make your personal charisma stand out from the rest. Each one describes a certain flair and style that some will find more appealing than others. The choice is up to you—which one of these fun bags best describes you and your beach persona?

No matter what beach style is yours, we know you’re one-of-a-kind gal! And if you’re looking for more beach travel accessory options, just browse through our dedicated Beach Bag Collection on our site. We’re sure you’ll find something that fits you and your beach personality!

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How to Shop for the Best Summer Bags by Vera Bradley

As the summer travel season heats up, most women are shopping for a new handbag accessory to coordinate with their summer travel wardrobe. But how do women choose the best summer bags for their travels when so many pretty options are available? While there are certainly plenty of various fabrics, styles, prints, and designs on the market, it’s important to consider the function of the bag as much as its stylish appeal. Different bags serve different purposes, and as you travel, certain bags will work better in some situations than others.

Before selecting a new summer bag, take a look at your summer itinerary. What is it you are planning on doing this summer? Are you going to Europe and touring big cities? Will you be spending hours on the beach? What about visiting your local farmer’s market or hanging out at the cafes? Wherever your adventures take you, considering your activities and location is important in determining the perfect Vera Bradley handbag suitable for your summer travels.

RELATED: Looking for tickets for your summer vacation? Book your airfare here!

Also, you’ll want to consider what items you’ll want to carry with you at all times. Is your laptop necessary, or are you escaping screen time for sunshine? Will you need just the essentials like keys, wallet, and lipstick? Or are you planning on packing snacks, sunglasses, and a book? If you’re planning on an activity for a longer length of time, you’ll probably want to pack more than just the essentials. But if you’re going to be on your feet and walking a lot during your excursions, consider how much weight you want to lug around all day. Too heavy of a bag, and your shoulders and back will be scolding you for not packing lighter!

Another thing to consider when purchasing a new summer bag is how free you want your hands to be during your travels. Will you be taking photos of tourist sites, riding a bike in the country, taking the subway in the city, or climbing cobblestone steps to see ancient landmarks? Some of these activities will require the use of your hands more than others. So it’s important to consider how a bag is designed to be carried. A backpack will relieve your hands completely while a shoulder bag may require some adjustments from time to time. No matter what style of bag you select, practicality is as weighty as beauty.

RELATED: Fill up your summer itinerary with tours and activities

Thankfully, Vera Bradley is one brand that has mastered the art of designing beautiful prints and patterns and offering it across a wide range of body styles. When your heart falls in love with a particular Vera Bradley print, chances are you’ll also be able to find it available in a handbag accessory that’s suitable to your travel needs. With this designer brand, there’s no need to sacrifice beauty for functionality!

We recently discovered the Spring Mint Stripe, a new favorite Vera Bradley print. Featuring a monochromatic teal and blue striped pattern with pops of white and lilac, this summery print is reminiscent of vibrant ocean waves washing ashore. Its colorful palette is sure to coordinate with many summer dresses and billowy kimonos! Moreover, the Sprint Mint Stripe is available in three body styles in straw material, perfect for your summer travels.

RELATED: See a new city at your own pace with a hop-on-hop-off style tour bus

To help you decide which Spring Mint Stripe straw bag may be best suited for your needs, we’ve outlined the features and functions of each below. We hope this mini guide will make your shopping easier so that you can fully maximize your summer vacation wardrobe!

No matter where your summer adventures take you, we hope one of these Vera Bradley Spring Mint Stripe bags are perfect for your vacation plans. And if you’re looking for more Vera Bradley print options, just browse through our dedicated Vera Bradley Collection on our site. We’re sure you’ll find something that pleases your fashion sense while appealing to your common sense!

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Quality is a Priority with Tumi Luggage

With the summer holidays now in full swing, you are (hopefully) anticipating that long-deserved summer holiday. You and your family have worked hard throughout the year, and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Perhaps this summer’s travels may take you to some exotic beach far away (check out our Escape to Paradise Collection for a show-stopper ensemble of summer travel essentials in tranquil hues), or you may be packing up the kids and heading for the East Coast shores or Florida’s coastline. No matter where your travels may take you this summer, you’ll want to ensure quality luggage is on your pre-travel shopping list.

RELATED: Book tours and vacation packages to popular beach destinations like the Caribbean, Miami, Orlando, or Hawaii

If you’ve taken a trip to the mall recently, you’ll notice expansive luggage selections in brick-and-mortar department stores are more difficult to find. Since the days of the pandemic, in-store inventory has been greatly reduced, challenging shoppers to become more innovative in their product research and purchasing. Of course, there are millions of luggage pieces to choose from online, but sifting through hundreds of brands can become extremely time consuming. And when you’re on a time crunch planning for that perfect summer beach getaway, spending dozens of hours endlessly scrolling through images of luggage, luggage sets, carry-ons, weekenders, and boarding bags can cause unnecessary tears of frustration.

We Do The Pre-Shopping for You!

Thankfully, there are sites like ours that do the hard lifting for travelers and curate brands in our online store that have good reputations, high customer satisfaction reports, and aesthetic appeal. As lifestyle travelers ourselves, we’re well acquainted with the ins and outs of domestic and international travel and have discovered some secrets of our own. Combined with our research and connections within the travel industry, we have assembled a boutique selection of trusted luggage brands that are both function and fashionable. (After all, who wants a boring black bag when you can have an adorable hard shell checked bag with gold accents!)

While there are several high quality luggage brands in the market, there is none that quite compares to the Tumi brand. Crowned as the gold star of luxury luggage, Tumi meets all the demands travelers crave. Their pieces are highly functional, elegantly chic, and superiorly designed. Loved by customers and consistently five-star rated, Tumi rarely disappoints the discerning traveler.

All these exquisite features do come with a hefty price tag—and that’s why Tumi is an investment piece and not just a short-term purchase. If you’re planning on traveling extensively every summer for the rest of your life, you’ll end up replacing your summer luggage about every 3-5 years. But with Tumi, your investment will have a long life span, because these first-rate pieces were built to last.

RELATED: Download Your Day or Flex Pass to Miami or Key West

Warranty & Tracers

Moreover, Tumi travel pieces come with a five-year warranty and are part of the Tumi tracer program—a unique system that allows customers to keep track of their bags during travel. With these added advantages to the Tumi purchase, the up-front cost balances out over time, satisfying customers year over year, decade after decade.

As summer travels begin to peak over the next few months, Tumi will undoubtedly be on the luxury traveler’s shopping list and spotted at high end luxury resorts. While there are several pieces currently on the market, our Embark Travel Store team narrowed down our favorites to five key pieces. Below are our 2025 picks for Tumi summer luggage. (You can find our full Tumi selection here.)

The Time to Invest is Now

As a side note, some of the pieces listed above have been selling fast and quantities are low. If you’re like us and love the lagoon color, don’t waste your time in making a purchase. At the time of this publication, there’s only a handful of pieces left in that gorgeous shade. So, if you’re ready to invest in a highly functional and beautifully designed travel staple, now is the time to take the plunge.

RELATED: Swim with the dolphins and snorkel with the turtles in Hawaii

The Tumi brand may not be in everyone’s budget this summer, but for those who appreciate finely-crafted luxury luggage and travel extensively for business or pleasure, Tumi’s high-end travel essentials are solid, sturdy, and fashionable investment pieces. We’re sure that once you’ve tried a Tumi, you’ll never want to go back to “those other brands.”

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Walking Garden Tours in the Great American South: The Perfect Spring Travel Vacation Idea for Garden Lovers

With beautiful warm weather returning, most travelers are looking for any opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and the great outdoors. While the travel season isn’t in full swing just yet, there are still weekend getaways and a smattering of spring-related holidays to take advantage of before the summer crowds converge on popular destinations. Whether families seek out the quiet solace of parks and gardens or the carefree breezes of coastal beaches, spring can offer a variety of outdoor adventures.

RELATED: Shop for spring travel essentials with our Spring in the City Collection

If you’re planning on traveling to any neighboring city this spring—and especially if you’re already a garden lover— we suggest researching different garden walking tours that many locations have to offer this time of year. There’s only a window of time to view the colorful blossoms of the season and to take in their lovely fragrance. While you can enjoy many gardens or parks on your own, booking a guided tour with a company such as Viator or Musement will help maximize your experience.

Almost every city hosts some kind of local garden or park. If you’ve not visited one in your area recently, now is a great time to explore your own backyard. But if you plan on venturing out a little further or exploring the abundant beauty of the American South, be sure to take advantage of these garden walking tours in Dallas, Charleston, and Nashville.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Tour Photo Credit: Viator Tours

Charleston Magnolia Plantation Tour Photo Credit: Viator

Nashville Belmont Mansion Tour Photo Credit: Viator

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What destination could be more appealing for inaugurating the summer vibes than the warm coastal state of Florida? Boasting more than 800 miles of beaches stretching across its shoreline, this southern state offers a wide variety of tours and activities that can be enjoyed on or near the warm sea waters. Florida also hosts dozens of key tourist cities from Miami, Orlando, and Tampa to Destin, St. Augustine, and Ft. Lauderdale that range in style and culture appealing to both affluent residents and family vacationers alike. With its inviting beaches, clear blue waters, amusement parks, nature discoveries, and adventure tours, Florida continues to rank as America’s trending summer holiday destination for outdoor adventure.

If you’re planning on traveling to any popular city or lesser known beach town in Florida to take in the sunny vibe and experience an array of water activities, we have a few adventurous travel excursions for your family to enjoy this summer. From swimming with dolphins to boarding a pirate ship, these adventures are sure to bring an unexpected sizzle to your Florida family vacation.

RELATED: Pack our best-selling Adventure Awaits Graphic Tee for your beach trip!

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WHY GRADUATION IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SHOP FOR THE BEST TRAVEL GIFTS

As the summer season begins and the strains of pomp and circumstance echo through the halls, many young people are embarking on a whole different type of journey.  With the warm days of summer comes the soft winds of change for those who have recently graduated high school or college. It’s an exciting season--one that is filled with both adventure and uncertainty as many commemorate the close of one chapter in life and celebrate the beginning of another.

If you have a recent graduate in your family or among your circle of friends, you may be searching for a perfect gift idea that both encourages and celebrates this unique transitional season in life. While there are many traditional gifts on the market, we have a few gift suggestions that commemorate the journey and capture both the excitement and wisdom for the years ahead.

SCRATCH YOUR TRAVELS MAP

As your graduate spreads her wings and explores the world beyond her hometown, what better way to mark her steps than by giving her a Scratch Your Travels Map! These fun, interactive maps come in a variety of themes and enable your graduate to plan, dream, and mark off destinations as she travels. We currently carry three versions of these unique maps in our store: Scratch Your Travels US National Parks Map, Scratch Your Travels Official US State Flowers Map, and Scratch Your Travels North and Central America Map.

In addition to cataloging your graduate’s bucket list destinations, these maps can also be used as wall art or home decor. Is your student moving into a dorm in the fall? The Scratch Your Travels Map makes great wall art as well as a conversation piece to help her connect with new friends and roommates!

TRAVEL JOURNAL

If you have a graduate who loves to record her thoughts and memories, then a travel journal is a beautiful way to support her through this new season. Of course there are many lovely travel journals out there, but one of our favorites is The Little Book of Big Adventures Travel Journal. Featuring writing prompts, contact storage section, blank writing pages, and a map, this unique travel-theme journal is designed to preserve travel memories for years to come. And if this one is out of stock, just head over to our Travel Journal and Pens Collection to discover other cute journals your graduate may love. Take it from us — travel journals make one of the best travel gifts for anyone!

PERSONALIZED TRAVEL GEAR

A popular graduation gift tradition is monogrammed stationery, jewelry, or art. If you’re always thinking travel like us, then why not give your graduate protective phone cases, monogrammed luggage, weekend bags, and totes for an added personal touch?

We recommend two specific totes from our store that are ideal for monograms or embroidered artwork: The Big Jute Colored Tote Bag and the Dunes Drawstring Duffel Bag. Both are made of canvas and offer plenty of white space for embellishment or printing! (Plus, we think the Dunes Drawstring Duffel would be perfect to double up as a laundry bag for the dorms!)

STAY SAFE AND SECURE WITH A FREE GPS TRACKER

When it comes to travel gifts for your recent graduates, ensuring their safety while exploring new places is a top priority. A free GPS tracker is a practical and thoughtful gift that can provide peace of mind. Whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure, this device can help them navigate unfamiliar cities, keep track of their belongings, or even ensure that important items don’t get lost. It’s a small, but essential tool that every traveler should have in their kit.

A SURPRISE TRIP

What graduate wouldn’t want a pre-paid trip to their favorite destination? With online booking tools such as Ovago, Hotels.com, and Viator, you can purchase airfare, book hotels, and reserve tour tickets for anywhere in the world. Surprise your hard-working graduate with the trip of their dreams!

INSPIRATIONAL BEACH READING

More than likely, your graduate will spend some down time this summer hanging out with friends at the pool, lake, or beach. While she may be may looking for some great beach reads, why not give her something that will also feed her soul and help her navigate the journey ahead? Our favorite adulting books on the market are How to Make the Right Decision Every Time by Karen Jensen Salisbury and 8 Things No Kid Should Leave Home Without by Joe McGee.

ADVENTURE AWAITS GIFT SET

Finally, to celebrate the exciting new opportunities that await your graduate, we suggest adventure awaits themed travel gift items as one of the best travel gifts for young people entering a new season of life. We love adventure so much that we even have a collection dedicated to this joie de vivre! If you’re looking for a gift bundle, we recommend ordering several gift items and wrapping them together in a basket or luggage piece. Our favorite pieces in this collection are the Adventure Awaits Cotton Canvas Tote Bag, Adventure Is Calling T-Shirt, Live a Life of Adventure Campfire Mug, and the Adventure Awaits Jewelry Collection. And for a bonus, if you want to wrap these up in luggage, we love this pink luggage set from Travelers Club!

We wish you and your graduate all the best! Many happy travels as you and your graduate embark on this new, exciting journey in life.

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Photo Credit: Mica Olinghouse www.travel.micaolinghouse.co

First-Hand Experience of Things to Do in Punta Cana for Couples

Recently, our Embark Team set sail on a dreamy beach vacation meant just for two and explored some adventure in Punta Cana. A popular beach destination for American tourists in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana ranks as one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean. The DR offers plenty of beautiful beaches, all-inclusive family resorts, and water sport activities. Because of its affordability and access to Americans in particular, there are tons of romantic things to do in Punta Cana for couples that don’t break the bank. This dreamy beach town is an ideal vacation spot for destination weddings, honeymooners, vowel renewal ceremonies, and any other romantic weekend getaway. (Of course, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities for family vacations as well!)

RELATED: Shop for brightly colored travel essentials in our Colors of the Caribbean Collection

In addition to its romantic vibes, Punta Cana is just one of many beach towns along the Dominican coastline that offers an array of activities to guests of all kinds. In fact, Punta Cana is notably celebrated as a golfer’s destination with 10 courses located along the resort-town’s coastal strip. With ample coconut palms providing shade from the afternoon heat and rhythmic waves of teal hitting the shoreline, any traveler seeking a little rest and relaxation will find something to satisfy their beach-loving sensibilities in Punta Cana.

If you’re planning a dreamy beach vacation for the summer—or anytime of the year, for that matter—we’ve compiled a list of top things to do in Punta Cana. Whether you’re heading to the DR for a destination wedding, a romantic getaway with your spouse, or a family vacation with the kids, you’ll want to add these activities to your itinerary!

If you’re looking for a romantic hideaway with your love, Punta Cana is one destination to consider for a lifetime of memories. Our team prefers it as a dreamy destination for romance, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy escaping to this sunny resort town as much as we did!

We're delighted to introduce the Embark Travel Journal, a literary companion to Embark Travel Store, an online boutique established in 2018 featuring world-class travel essentials and gifts. By offering a curated selection of luggage, handbags, accessories, seasonal apparel, and other necessary items, our store is where adventure begins—it is the first place that connects travelers to functional and stylish products needed for business trips or family vacation. Embark Travel Store has been seen in prestigious global magazines such as Conde Nast Traveller, Brides UK, and House of Coco.

A written expression of the adventurous spirit surrounding Embark Travel Store, the Embark Travel Journal is a beautiful new blog designed to inspire global experiences through travel product reviews, travel gift ideas, travel resources and tips, featured tours and destinations, and first-class adventures. We’ll be highlighting fun new luggage, weekenders, seasonal fashion, and other travel accessories from current collections and showcasing creative ideas for their uses during your travels. We’ll also be sharing some great gift ideas for your friends and family during all seasons of gift-giving. Finally, we’ll be exploring both domestic and international destinations along with tours and cultural activities to help you plan your next world-wide adventure. We trust that our first-hand travel experiences and research knowledge will serve as a trusted resource in all your globe-trotting preparations.

Please visit again soon to read our first blog post! In the meantime, enjoy a 10% off coupon on your first purchase of any Embark Select Product at our store.

Happy Adventures!

The Embark Travel Journal Team

Photo Credit: Mica Charity Olinghouse